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SB confident of being freed under Ranil
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 1:56 AM SL Time
UNP National Organiser S.B. Dissanayake in a letter to his party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed confidence Mr Wickremesinghe would win the Presidential election.
'Your victory is the victory of peace, you victory is the victory of intelligence, your victory is my victory, your victory is the victory of all Sri Lankans and your victory is the victory of our future children,' Mr Dissanayake said in a letter to Mr Wickremesinghe.
In his letter Mr. Dissanayake says he had a little hope that President Kumaratunga would correct the grave political mistakes she had committed but with only a few days for the Presidential elections his hope of joining the election fight has been dashed.'There are only few days more for the historic Presidential elections which would determine the future of our mother country in the next century. Our candidate is you. I will not be released prior to the election. Also the charges levelled against you by the State media would continue up to the elections day.'
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Nobody has accussed me of being corrupt - Ranil
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 1:46 AM SL Time
`I have never had any allegations of corruption levelled against me during my long political career, however Mangala Samaraweera, against whom there have been many allegations, chose to create an allegation against me` Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe said at mass rallies in Negombo and Beruwela on Thursday.
However `I did not run away from such allegations or hide behind any judicial processes. Instead I extended all support to the investigations because I knew that I was totally innocent and I firmly believe that anyone who seeks the office of President of Sri Lanka must have an unblemished character`, Wickremesinghe said.
He said the time had come for all political parties to hold hands and step out together towards a new future. `We must join together to put out the fires of hunger, war, disease and death and by the fires that were stoked by the tsunami and the destruction caused by a war which would nearly have separated our country`.
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Why is the LTTE disappointed with Ranil Wickramasinghe?
Sunday, 13 November 2005 - 5:18 AM SL Time
The attempt made by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to enforce a Tamil boycott of the Presidential election s will affect Ranil Wickremasinghe as the bulk of Tamil votes was expected to be cast for him. The LTTE - TNA press conference in Kilinochchi has made it clear that the tigers are in favour of a boycott. Earlier there were confused signals to that effect. Now it is in the open.
A striking feature in the LTTE attempt to push for a boycott is its undisguised contempt for Ranil Wickremasinghe. There is subterranean anger rippling. Indeed the whole boycott exercise in the name of the people seems to be aimed at teaching Ranil
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Politics
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Low voter turnout expected in NE
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 1:59 AM SL Time
The outcome of the November 17 polls is expected to strongly reflect the fear factor instilled by the LTTE on the Tamil people in the north and east with election monitors and officials expecting a very low voter turnout.
Jaffna district Government Agent K. Ganesh told the Daily Mirror that he did not anticipate a high voter turnout in the north owing to fear of intimidation from the LTTE.'I am concerned that there will be a very low voter turnout in Jaffna as the LTTE has instilled fear in the Tamil people and the voters,' he said.
Election monitors have also echoed these fears with additional threats from the Karuna faction on polling day surfacing in the east.
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SAARC leaders bid farewell to President Kumaratunga
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 1:58 AM SL Time
The twice-postponed SAARC summit held in Dhaka was the swan song for President Chandrika Kumaratunga who has been a key figure in the region for more than half the period of SAARC`s existence. The other six leaders used the occasion to bid fond farewells to the charismatic Sri Lankan leader.
The summit of the seven South Asian leaders finally got under way at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka Saturday morning. The senior-most leader Maldivian President Abdul Gayoom in his address said `this Summit is the last one where we can call upon the wisdom of President Chandrika Kumaratunga` and wished her on behalf of the people and the Government of Maldives `continued good health and success in all her future endeavours`.
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Almost all parties back me, it is to get UNP to our fold ? PM
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 1:45 AM SL Time
`Almost all political forces in the country have today rallied round me for giving me strength and what is left for us is to get the UNP to our fold` says the Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse.
The prime Minister was speaking at a presidential election propaganda rally held at the Narandeniya Central college grounds in Kamburupitiya.
The Premier added that he would give top priority for developing the rural economy by providing necessary infrastructure facilities like good access roods, water, sanitation and electricity for villages and incentives for promoting cultivation of tea, rubber and allied products. Promotion of rural economy was an ideal method for eliminating poverty in the rural sector providing land for landless, putting up new factories in each and every Div. Secretariat area, a subsidy of Rs. 200 for providing milk food for children were among his basket of goodies while bringing a lasting and honourable peace for the country.
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Editorial News
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Much ado about nothing
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 1:48 AM SL Time
The grand debate we were promised between the two main presidential candidates seems to have gone the same way as the peace talks. As we have had no peace talks but talks about talks for years, so have we had debates about a debate, for days, without the debate proper. What has become of the grand debate, due to lack of consensus, portends the things to come after the election. How can we rest assured that those who cannot at least agree on the modalities of a debate, will be able to usher in consensual politics, cohabitation, cooperation etc., after the E-Day on Thursday'
The SLFP and the UNP are blaming each other for the cancellation of the debate in a bid to gain last minute political mileage for which they are so desperate in the on-going tight race, which is widely expected to have a photo finish.
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Everybody`s president
Sunday, 13 November 2005 - 3:43 AM SL Time
By the time next Sunday comes around we will have a new president. Whoever it be, we wish him well. As a writer on this page has pointed out, no sooner is the result declared, the winner who will take all unlike in the proportional representation system by which we elect our legislature, must understand that he is not the president of the UNP, the UPFA or whatever else. He is the president of the whole country and all its people. In this context it is useful to remember what was stated in a memorable sign outside Checkpoint Charlie in the Western side of Germany before the unification, `On the other side is also Germany.` Here in Sri Lanka, we must not forget that on the other side of the palmyrah curtain, the rebel-held areas is also Sri Lanka whether Colombo`s writ runs there or not.
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Big cats observing sil
Saturday, 12 November 2005 - 4:21 AM SL Time
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has said the people of the North and the East will be given a free choice at the forthcoming presidential election. This decision, the TNA has said, was taken following an agreement with the LTTE.
The Tamil people in the North and East''or anywhere else for that matter''to begin with, don`t need anyone`s permission to exercise their voting rights freely. They don`t need the TNA to tell them that they could do so. If the TNA is really desirous of safeguarding their rights, what it should do is to ask the LTTE to get out of their way and allow them to make an informed decision. The LTTE-held areas must be opened up for others to do political work and educate the people therein on their policies. How else can those trapped in those parts of the country under the LTTE`s jackboot with no communication with the world outside, make an informed decision at a crucial election'
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| Security |
Tiger group calls for day of mourning
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 1:57 AM SL Time
The Consortium of Public Organizations (CPO), a leading LTTE frontline organization in Jaffna yesterday called to observe November 17, the day of the Presidential election as a day of mourning and advised the people in the peninsula to boycott voting.
In a notice distributed in several areas in Jaffna over the weekend, the organization asked government servants in the peninsula assigned for election duties not to attend to election work.
It asked the residents, to hoist black flags at their homes, and ordered to shut down all government and private shops, institutions and to stop all transportation in the peninsula during that day. It also asked the civilians to play songs of mourning during the day, claiming it would be a day of mourning for Tamil speaking people.
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India warns SAARC against cross border terrorism
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 1:44 AM SL Time
India Saturday called on SAAARC member states not to permit cross border terrorism, warning that all progress would be of no avail if the scourge cannot be controlled.
Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh addressing the 13th historic SAARC summit in Dhaka, which coincided with its 20th anniversary, said that unless there was zero tolerance of cross border terrorism, the seven member grouping would not be able to progress.
`No country should allow its territory to be used against a fellow member.
Progress could be achieved only if there is zero tolerance of cross border terrorism.`
Singh, said it was also imperative that SAARC reconnects with greater Asia and the world if it is to reclaim the prosperity once enjoyed.
`We are seeing an Asian resurgence and if SAARC wishes to be part of dynamic Asia it must act speedily and without any further delay. There is also a need to recapture cross border cultures and work closely in the light of natural disasters that have hit our region.`
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Thai police nab two shady Lankans
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 1:43 AM SL Time
Two Sri Lankan nationals were arrested on Saturday on charges of extortion after a tourist from Sri Lanka filed a complaint with the Thailand Tourist Police, a Bangkok Post news report said yesterday.
It said: Ismail Lebbeai, 30, and Naufer Mohamad Bacha, 29, were arrested in Rom Klao. Police seized 75,000 baht, US$190 (7,800 baht), handcuffs, alien ID cards issued by Japan and a mobile phone, which were found in their possession.
Chief of the tourist police, Pol Maj-Gen Panya Mamen, said on arrival at Don Muang airport last Wednesday, the tourist was approached by one of the men, who pretended to be from Interpol. After being showed an ID card and handcuffs, the tourist`s passport was checked by the man, who searched his things and came across a traveller`s cheque. The victim was coerced into cashing it, and the man fled with US$2,500 (102,634 baht), joining his friend nearby.
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Business / Economy News
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LTTE taxes businessmen in Govt. controlled areas in north
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 2:00 AM SL Time
The LTTE is said to be collecting heavy taxes from Tamil businessman and shop owners in government controlled areas in the North.
Rest house operators in Jaffna as well as businessmen in the area say they pay as much as Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 to the LTTE as taxes on a weekly or monthly basis, apart from the taxes paid to the government.
'We have to pay our tax to the LTTE or our lives are at risk. This is a burden on us but we have absolutely no choice,' said a rest house operator at Nallur in Jaffna.A grocery shop owner in Mannar told the `Daily Mirror` that he too has to pay heavy taxes to the rebels who visit his store on a weekly basis.
According to him, female LTTE cadres with their trademark belt around their waists and curled up hair, visit his shop located in a government controlled area of Mannar to collect the tax. This has been made possible by the Ceasefire Agreement signed between the government and the LTTE which permits unarmed rebel cadres to enter cleared areas.
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Well made Teas would sell
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 1:52 AM SL Time
There was a total of 5.7 MnKg of tea on offer at last week`s auction of which 3.09 MnKg were Low Growns. The market for Low Growns declined further and prices were quoted Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 lower all round. In the Large Leaf catalogues, better OP1s met with restricted demand and the select best sorts declined substantially with most teas remaining unsold. Others sold at lower levels of price. The best BOPls too were mostly lower with the below best sorts easing Rs 4 to Rs. 6. The best Pekoes eased Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 with others following suit. A few small shotty varieties however eased by a lower margin. OP/OPAs continued its poor run and eased Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 In Small Leaf catalogues, better FBOP/FBOPF1s eased Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 with the secondary sorts declining Rs. 4 to Rs. 6. The poorest however, held last levels. Well made tippy FBOPFs sold at fully firm to dearer rates. Others sold around last
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Ranil addresses rally via mobile phone
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 1:47 AM SL Time
UNP Presidential candidate and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday became the first candidate to use a mobile phone to reach his voters. He was forced to adopt this mode addressing his supporters due to his flight being grounded and delayed by stormy winds.
Wickremesinghe boarded a helicopter, after addressing a rally at Kalmunai, with two more rallies to be addressed in Monaragala and Nuwara Eliya. However, his plans were foiled by a storm winds and the pilot had to land the helicopter at the Amparai Air Force camp. Bad weather forced the Opposition Leader to opt for a car ride and it was already 7.45 pm when he reached Monaragala.
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| Sports News
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Second women`s one-dayer between SL and England
Monday, 14 November 2005 - 1:50 AM SL Time
There was a marked improvement, especially in their batting, but the result was the same for Sri Lankan women cricketers when they lost their second and final one-dayer by 99 runs against England at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.
Sri Lanka bowlers, led by Suwini de Alwis who took three for 38, captured four early England wickets for 113 and then restricted them for a modest 206 for nine in 50 overs. Opener Laura Newton scored a timely 60 for England.
But the hosts` batting caused their downfall as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 107 in 41 overs. Rosalie Birch, a right-arm `offie`, took four for 22 in seven overs for England.
In the first game, the hosts lost by a massive margin of 163 runs after being bowled out for 61.
England 206 for 9 wkts. in 50 overs ( L. Newton 60, J. Gunn 49, C. Atkins 32; S. de Alwis 3-38, P. Udawatta 2-28)
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Indian strategies took Sri Lanka by surprise : Greg
Sunday, 13 November 2005 - 3:42 AM SL Time
The Indian strategies took the visiting Sri Lankans by surprise quite early on in the series and the team was now on track for becoming a `very good` outfit, coach Greg Chappell said.
`We took them by surprise quite early on from which they struggled to recover. Yes, the first two games (at Nagpur and Mohali) were very important,` Chappell told a media conference on the eve of the final match of the one-day series which India is leading 5-1.
`We are not yet a great team, but we are on the way to becoming a very good outfit. But we can`t afford to relax. You don`t know what`s lurking round the corner in the form of an injury or lack of form,` he said.
Chappell said as the series concludes they have many options for each position and the dilemma was rather whom to leave out.
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Sri Lanka out to topple top-dogs Kazakhstan
Saturday, 12 November 2005 - 4:14 AM SL Time
The crunch return leg match of the Rugby World Cup 2007 Asian Round Qualifiers between hosts Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan will kick off at 3.30 p.m., with the former out to put the record straight after a 19-25 defeat in the first leg match, while the latter will look for a repeat performance at Longden Place (CR & FC grounds), today.
Sri Lanka, led by outside centre Sajith Mallikarachchi, were overpowered in Almaty by the powerful Kazakhstan forward pack and was outscored by five tries to one in the end.
Thus, the onus will be on the home side to turn tables on the tourists with a six-point winning margin and book their place in the next round with a clash against either China or Arabian Gulf, in February-March 2006.
The Sri Lanka pack chosen for Saturday sees only a solitary change, with hard-working CH & FC open-side flanker Dhanushka Perera replacing injured CR & FC skipper Pavithra Fernando (spine injury), while the selectors have made a few crucial positional changes in the outside backs.
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